It was a wild hair

Yeah so after heavily considering buying a bike, Ive decided to switch that plan and pass.

There were many reasons not to, it just seemed that once I had it in my mind, I encountered many instances of bike accidents.

Mom running into a man that had road burn all over his face
then a woman who is married to a ER surgeon and said that people like bike riders are what keeps her husband employed.

While visiting a cousin, she gets off the phone with a friend that was in a serious bike accident, of course Im sitting right there so as soon as she gets off the phone she informs me of the accident.

A friend that texts me telling me about a local man being killed in an bike accident.

Newspaper articles about biker deaths.

Several deaths on the news that were contributed to bike accidents.

It does seem odd that all these encounters happen after the decision to get one.

Maybe its a sign, one I believe I should heed and be aware of.

One thing that all these incidents had in common was the biker was not responsible for the accident. It wasnt their driving abilities but the other drivers abilities to look for bikes, know how to pass a biker properly without clipping him, etc etc.

I know Im a safe driver, I havent had an accident yet (knocks on wood) so I trust my ability to drive safely.

It came down to the trust or lack thereof for other drivers.

So as much as I have wanted one, and the chances of getting one are better now than have ever been, its just not worth the risk of my life.

Leaving behind family and friends too early is not a thought I want to have.

Family Visit pt.1

This past Monday I went to Elk City to visit some family out there.It had been over a year since going there and nearly 6 months since I had seen them here.My cousin, her hubby, and two kids got a new home so I stayed there.Ver very very nice place, a lot of space to play the Wii....and that we did.So much that we got sore. Nice n quiet out there, very relaxing. Couldnt ask for more.

My cousin invited me to sit with her during her new tattoo.

So I was down.

I meet with her the next day and started the long process.

We met at 11:50am and waited till the shop opened at noon
Walked in once they opened, and waited about another hour for the tattooist to get there.
Waited till nearly 2 until he was finished with the stencil.
Walked into his are around 2:10pm and the tattooing started.

Cindy was a soldier, didnt bitch like others had before (according to the tattooist).
Took it nicely, I was proud of her.

She was finished at 6:15pm.

The tattoo is for her dad, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and doesnt have too long to live.

It is of his favorite car he owned, a 60 (sumthing) Pontiac (sumthin)

The artist did a kickass job and everyone was happy.

I snapped some shots during the process.

M&J Wedding July 12th, 2008

I recently got to help Amanda out at a wedding she was asked to shoot/be a part of.

I was stationed at the back during the ceremony but also got to have some freedom at the reception which was fun.

I made some classic rookie mistakes but, a lesson learned.

Im like a rubber band I snap back.(sorry for that, I had a moment...had to drop a ryhm..son!)

I had a true blast and learned heaps.

Everyone looked really good, sharp as tacks.:)

Here are some of the photos from the day.

Thanks Amanda!

Jackie's Maternity

This is Jackie, a friend I met way back and recently I knew she was expecting.

So I offered to shoot her maternity pics.

So I set up my stuff at her place, snapped some shots, had a few laughs.

She was so concerned about her weight, which I guess all women are, but in all honesty, she looked stunning.

Wild Hair?! MAYBE

I will admit at times I get a wild hair up my ass and will want/want to do something that others wouldnt see me owning or doing.

Usually the urge will pass shortly after I start thinking about it.

Other times I wont stop thinking about it until it comes to fruition. My tattoo is one of them.

Other failed interests was compound bows, building engines (Im NOT a car guy), and artist.
Those are just the ones I can name off the top of me head.

The newest one is owning a motorcycle.

Ive always been told by family that it would be over their dead bodies that I own a motorcycle.

Something about my mom being on one and pregnant with me at the time and being flung off of one in an accident and landing square on her stomach has made her...what I call.....a lil scared of them.

I turned out ok (refrain from adding you own opinion on that part) so I dont know what the big deal is.

My truck, despite really liking it, guzzles the gas like crazy, and so far the most economic (for my wallet) choice to combat those crazy gas prices (waves fist in air) is to get a harley.

So my plan is to fix up the nick-nack stuff on the truck and sell it, use the duckets from that to purchase a bike.

Someone added that it would be a bad idea because what if Im off to a photoshoot and it starts to rain? Point taken but, deep down its what I want, and someone would have to give me a REALLY REALLY good reason not to, that excludes a logical reason...lol. Just a good reason.

Like....a g/f saying....I DONT WANT YOU TO HAVE ONE because I blah blah blah blah (kiss on the neck or lips)....then Id consider it, but since I aint got one of those around....the chances of it are less likely:D

Im eye'n a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Low. Its withing price range and still has a nice look I like.

So, with a lil time, more photoshoots, more money, I will own a bike.

Unless the wild hair gets plucked and or a good reason arises.

Until then,

SAME BAT TIME!!!

SAME BAT CHANNEL!!!

Obby's tattoo

Yeah thats what I call him....thats what we all call him..Obby (pronounced AWW-BEE)If you are familiar with Dane Cook and his hit cd Retaliation youll know where 'Obby' comes from.(but not the same reason Dane called people obby, ours was just goofiness)

So one day after work (7am) we all went to eat breakfast at a local diner and before we all got around I set up my backdrop n lights and took some quick shots of his new ink.If you can see he had scratched off some of the ink due to him scrapping against the shelves(pinky).

Riley's First birthday photos

Some time ago I met some friends from back in high school.

It had been years since we had seen each other, and with that they added a new member to the family.

Their first child Riley. Gorgeous lil girl, beautiful eyes.

They asked what I had been up to and I told them about my photography.

They were very interested and had told me they planned on getting some portraits taken, and in the process I told them I could do them and they seemed really happy I would.

So about 4 months or so later I get a call from them wondering if I could take the photos. And of course I was honored to.

So I gathered up my backdrop,bd stand, lights and camera and headed over to their place, to set them up.

It was a snowy day, very cold, but their home was so nice and warm...Im not sure why I threw that in there...but I did....live with it.

After setting up the backdrop I quickly realized that I did not grab enought fabric for the background....but fret not followers, my photoshop skills were growing more powerful as the seasons passed. I was able to rescue most shots with a lil cloning.

So I got to chase Riley around the living room, playing with her at the same time as capturing her. It was very fun.

Here are some of the photos from that night.